Where to sleep in Dubai: tips and best places to stay

Dubai, the city of records and contrasts: endless beaches and desert, futuristic skyscrapers and ancient bazaars, modern districts and more traditional quarters. Definitely one of those cities to visit at least once in a lifetime, a city that will always surprise you, for example with a ski slope inside a shopping centre!

Choosing where to stay is crucial to enjoying a holiday in Dubai! Here's everything you need to know about where to stay in Dubai, the best neighbourhoods and recommended hotels!

Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in

Dubai is a very big city indeed! Whichever neighbourhood you choose, you will still need to get around by metro or by taxi, which are quick and convenient! Attractions are scattered throughout the neighbourhoods, often many kilometres apart!
If this is your first time visiting the city or you still want to be in a central area, the best neighbourhoods are Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai! The former is located by the sea, the latter is home to the famous Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall.

If you prefer to spend your holiday by the sea, we recommend the Jumeirah district, which is located along the coast with beautiful beaches. If, on the other hand, you want to experience the unbridled luxury of Dubai and opt for an all-inclusive resort, then we recommend The Palm Jumeirah, the large artificial island where the famous Atlantis Hotel is located.

Finally, the best neighbourhoods to save money are Deira and Bur Dubai in the north of the city, divided by the Khor Dubai river. These represent the ancient and historical heart of Dubai, where it is still possible to immerse oneself in a more authentic atmosphere, forgetting the modernity that characterises this city.

• Suggested areas tosave money: Deira, Bur Dubai

• Suggested areas forfamilies with children: Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, The Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai

• Recommended areas foryoung people: Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Jumeraih

• Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, b&b's and hostels in Dubai. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking

If you are in Dubai on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best deals and selected hotels on booking.com

Dubai area guide

Dubai is the most important emirate in the United Arab Emirates. The city is indeed very large, about 3,885 square kilometres and has more than 3 million inhabitants. Necessarily, to get from one attraction to another you will have to put in a lot of time, so it is important to understand how the city is structured.

The city is divided into 9 sectors, which in turn are divided into districts called communities. There are currently more than 130 communities in Dubai. To best understand these subdivisions, Dubai was most easily divided into two large parts, naturally divided by the Dubai Khor river:

• Deira and eastern sectors: here fall all communities located north and east of the river Khor Dubai, such as the historic part of Deira or the area where Dubai International Airport is located

• Bur Dubai and western sectors: this includes all communities south and west of the Khor Dubai River, such as Bur Dubai, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah and The Palm Jumeirah

Areas to avoid: Dubai is a very safe city with a very low crime rate. The only recommendation is not to venture into the desert on your own, but to always rely on expert guides. For accommodation, it is best to avoid districts that are too peripheral, but only as a matter of distance and transport.

Downtown Dubai

Downtown Dubai is the heart of the city and one of the best districts to stay in! Here you will be in the centre of everything: not far away are Bur Dubai and Deira, further south you can reach Dubai Marina. Moreover, the Sheikh Zayed Road, the most important road in Dubai, passes close to the district, reaching up to eight lanes at certain points. But that's not all: here you will find the famous Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, and the wonderful Dubai Mall, which houses the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo and even an ice-skating rink! Here, you can also watch the spectacle of the marvellous Dubai Fountains.

This is indeed a district for everyone, but it is also one of the most expensive areas in Dubai, where some hotels easily exceed €1,000.00 per night per room! Here you can find luxury hotels, such as theArmani Hotel inside the Burj Khalifa, or numerous flats with incredible views over the whole city!

Average prices in the district range from around €60.00 for low-cost accommodation to €1,500.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation selection on booking

Recommended accommodations

Dubai Marina

The second most popular area to stay is Dubai Marina, one of the last districts built in Dubai. Overlooking the sea and traversed on the innermost side by Sheikh Zayed Road, here you will find the famous Dubai Marina Mall and the Cayan Tower, the world's tallest 90° twisting tower!

Dubai Marina is the best district for socialising and nightlife. Most of the clubs are located along The Walk, a 1.6 km-long promenade full of lively bars and fine restaurants. It is therefore a recommended area for young people, but also for families, who can find numerous accommodations directly on the beach! Alternatively, families can also opt for Jumeirah Lake Towers, a small neighbourhood alongside Dubai Marina!

Average prices in the district range from around €50.00 for low-cost accommodation to €900.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodations

Jumeirah

If you want to stay in a more central location than Dubai Marina, but still want to stay by the sea, then we recommend the Jumeirah district! This area runs all the way along the coast, while on the inland side, the famous Sheikh Zayed Road still runs along, along which you'll find plenty of accommodation and services! In the Jumeirah district you can find some of the most beautiful beaches in Dubai, such as Kite Beach, but above all here you can find the iconic sailing hotel symbol of the city, the Burj al-Arab, definitely one of the most expensive hotels in the whole of Dubai!

Jumeirah is a family-friendly neighbourhood for those who want to enjoy the sea but at the same time not be too far from Downtown Dubai! In addition to incredible beaches and numerous amenities there are many fun areas, such as the Laguna Waterpark by Meraas!

Average prices in the district range from around €80.00 for low-cost accommodation to €2,000.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodations

The Palm Jumeirah

Amongst the districts to stay in, one can't fail to mention The Palm Jumeirah, the world-famous man-made island shaped like a palm tree, known for its opulent, luxury hotels and resorts, elegant flat blocks and international restaurants. Beware though, this is the most expensive area in Dubai! A night at the famous Atlantis The Palm, one of the city's iconic hotels along with the Buri Al-Arab, is truly exorbitantly priced!

It is therefore an area suitable for high budget travellers, whether young or older, travelling with friends or family! Here you will find every imaginable amenity, from resorts with private beaches to wonderful restaurants and water parks such as the famous Aquaventure Dubai with The Lost Chambers Aquarium!

Average prices in the district range from around €130.00 for low-cost accommodation to €1,500.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodations

Deira

Photo by Ian and Wendy Sewell. And after seeing the best neighbourhoods in the south, we move north to Downtown, where the districts of Deira and Bur Dubai are located. Here you can discover the most authentic and ancient Dubai, the one far from the big skyscrapers and luxury resorts. Deira is home to the characteristic Gold Market, as well as the Spice Bazaar! You can also discover the history of the city by visiting the many museums, such as theHeritage Museum.

If you are travelling low-cost, you will be interested to know that this is the cheapest area in Dubai, where you can find hotels and flats from €30.00 per night. The services and quality are perhaps slightly less than in the other areas seen so far, but here you can immerse yourself in the culture and tradition of the city! This area, on the other hand, is less recommended for families, especially because of the evening hustle and bustle!

Average prices in the district range from around €30.00 for low-cost accommodation to €400.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation selection on booking

Recommended accommodations

Bur Dubai

Finally, the Deira district is naturally divided by the Dubai River from the Bur Dubai district, the heart of ancient Dubai. Here too you can stroll through bazaars, enveloped in fragrances and colours, and visit important pieces of the city's history such as theAl Fahidi Historical District and the Dubai Museum! You can also move between Bur Dubai and Deira by boarding a typical boat that crosses the river!

Again, this area is ideal for budget travellers and those who want to learn about the city's history. Staying here can be more convenient than in Deira as you won't have to cross the river and you'll be within easy reach of Downtown Dubai. Again, if you are travelling with your family you may find the neighbourhood a bit chaotic and noisy, especially in the evenings!

Average prices in the district range from around €30.00 for low-cost accommodation to €250.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking

Recommended accommodations

Countries near Dubai where to stay

Dubai is a very large city, within which you may even find yourself taking more than an hour's drive to reach two points far apart! Just think that from Burj Khalida to Dubai Marina is 22 km, or 20/30 min by taxi depending on traffic or 50 min by metro! For this reason, the best solution is to stay in the city and not go further afield! As we have seen, there are plenty of options, including types of neighbourhoods and accommodation, to suit all budgets!

Map of Dubai accommodation prices

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